Council officials are recommending approval for a green belt development at Askham Bryan College.
A report to a Council committee is being considered on 18th August.The report says

“Application at: Land Lying To The North Of The Science Building Askham Bryan College College Service Roads Askham Bryan York Reference:11/01155/FULM
For:Erection of 7 single storey buildings forming an equine hospital and training centre with associated outdoor facilities, car parking and new access
Recommendation:Approve

1.0 PROPOSAL

1.1 The application is for an equine hospital that would entail 7 no. Single storey buildings within the grounds of Askham Bryan College. The proposed site would measure (along the northern boundary) approx 142 meters by a varying depth of 80 to 90 metres. The site is presently used for tractor training. A weather station in the form of a tall pole with guy rope attachments is located towards the eastern end of the site. The eastern boundary of the site is defined by a row of tall conifer trees, with a mature hawthorn hedge forming the northern boundary along the York Road frontage. A row of poplar trees defines the western boundary, whilst to the south of the site is the remainder of the college campus and its associated buildings. The site is within the boundary of a Major Developed Site in the Green Belt as identified in the Proposals Map of the City of York Development Control Local Plan and Policy GB10.

1.2 The proposed development site would be accessed from York Road to the north; the vehicle access would be in the north east corner of the site. There would be a visitor car park to the front the site, and the lorry park and staff parking would be accessed through an electronic gate. There would be pedestrian access on the southern boundary for students.

The proposed buildings would include:

1.3 An administration building which includes the reception area, waiting area, offices, staff room, dispensary, and laboratory. The building would be sited adjacent to the vehicle entrance and would be 14.2 metres by 23 metres and would be 5.1 metres to the ridge height. The building would be on a blockwork base with steel profile sheeting walls and roof.

1.4 The stable block/intensive care block is an L shaped building sited to the south of the proposed car park. The building would include a triage area with a number of stables and intensive care stables. The building would also include two staff bedsits and a staffroom/office. The building would measure 12.7 metres along its shortest elevations and 25.95 metres along its west elevation and 34.4 metres along its south elevation, the building would be 4.5 metres to the roof ridge. The building would be on a blockwork base of varying heights with steel profile sheeting walls and roof in green.

1.5 There would be a forge measuring 7.3 metres by 4 metres, and 3.2 metres to the ridge height and the external material would be steel profile sheeting.

1.6 The adjacent hay barn would be 11.85 metres by 4.45 metres, and would be 4.15 metres to the ridge height and the external material would be steel profile sheeting.

1.7 To the west of the stable block/intensive care block is the theatre block this measures 36.5 metres by 19.2 metres and would be 5.65 metres to the roof ridge. The building includes a number of different types of theatres and associated facilities.

1.8 The lameness building measures 24.77 metres by 25.38 metres and 6.1 metres in height to the roof ridge. The building would be on a blockwork base of varying heights with steel and ventilated steel profile sheeting walls and roof in green. The building would provide further stables, MRI, Ultra sound, X-ray, scint bone scan, and an office.

1.9 To the north of the lameness building, adjacent to the paddocks is the isolation block which is 11.4 metres by 5.1 metres, and 3.15 metres to the roof ridge.

1.10 The applicant, Minster Veterinary Practice, operates from five locations in and around York at Salisbury Terrace, Haxby, Earswick, Copmanthorpe and Poppleton, and has existing affiliations with Askham Bryan College. The Poppleton site houses the present equine part of the practice. The applicant would like to provide a better service and facilities and has aspirations of the proposed development to attaining RCVS Tier 3 status. The applicant contends that the provision of such a service can only be provided by the provision of a new facility, which in turn would generate other opportunities.

1.11 The proposed development would employ 23 staff, transferred from the other surgeries. It is intended that the existing surgeries will remain open with the exception of equine services at Poppleton.

1.12 Revised plans have been submitted for the theatre building, the administration building, and the stable block/intensive care block. The original plans had shown 2 bedsits and 3 intern flats. However there was no justification for the three flats, and staff living on the site 24/7 (as their only residence), and as such this was removed. The revised plans now show only two bedsits in the proposed stable block/intensive care building.

1.13 There is an extant planning permission on this site for an equine, farm animal, and small animal hospital (07/00753/FULM). The application was approved by West and Centre Planning sub Committee on 21 June 2007.The previous application has been made by the same applicants as in this case. The reason the development was not constructed was due to cost”.